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The Times Advocate, 2005-11-02, Page 1818 Exeter Times—Advocate Wednesday, November 2, 2005 • THE POPPY CAMPAIGN Each November, millions of poppies blossom in Canada. Since 1921 they have blossomed on every jacket, dress and hat of nearly half of the Canadian population. The poppy is the symbol that individuals use to show that they remember those who were killed in the wars and peacekeeping operations that Canada has been involved in. The association of the poppy with those who had been killed in war had existed for at least 110 years prior to being adopted by Canada. There are records of a correspondent who, dur- ing the Napoleonic Wars, wrote how quickly poppies grew over the graves of soldiers in the area of Flanders, France. The person who was responsible more than any other, for the adoption of the poppy in Canada was Lieutenant Colonel John McCrae of Guelph, a Canadian Medical Officer during the First World War. He came away from Ypres with thirteen lines scrawled on a scrap of paper which started with "In Flanders fields the poppies blow..." These lines are enshrined in the inner most thoughts and hearts of all soldiers who hear them. John McCrae was their voice. In the United States, a women named Moina Michael was working in a New York city YMCA canteen when she started wearing a poppy in memory of thousands who died on the battlefield. The American Legion was inspired to adopt the poppy as a symbol of Remembrance. During a 1920 visit to the United States a French woman, Madame E. Guerin, learned of the custom. On her return to France she decided to use handmade poppies to raise money for the destitute children in war-torn areas of her country. In Canada, the Great War Veteran's Association officially adopted the poppy following the example of Madame Guerin. There is little doubt that the impact of John McCrae's poem influenced this decision Thanks to millions of Canadians who wear the poppy each November the little red plant has never died, nor have Canadians failed to remember the extreme sacrifices that 116,031 countrymen made on their behalf for future generations. HONOUR OUR -T VETERANS POPPY FUNDS The distribution of poppies and the sale of wreaths during the two weeks leading up to Remembrance Day raises the funds necessary for the Legion to operate a Service Bureaux, which act as an advocate for veterans, ex -service people and their dependants seeking com- pensation from the government for service incurred disabilities. Every year in excess of one million dollars (of the money collected as a result of the annual Poppy Campaign) is used in direct assistance for ex -service people and their dependants in financial distress. Examples of the uses of the Poppy Fund are: payments for food, accommodation, utilities, clothing, edu- cational assistance, furniture, medical assistance, dental and optical services and hospital comforts. The funds are a blessing for the many thousands helped. The beneficiaries of aid from the Legion's Poppy Fund are not limited to veterans and ex - service members. Over the years, many millions of dollars have been given to worthy chari- ties or spent providing the aged and disabled with medical assistance and equipment, meals - on -wheels, transportation, shelter and clothing. Funds are also provided for disaster relief. The Legion helps non-members and members alike, whenever the need arises. Since the workers who carry out Poppy Campaign are volunteers from Legion member- ship, campaign expenses are limited largely to cost of supplies, (such as the manufacture of the poppies and wreaths.) The money collected is held in trust and cannot be spent on anything other than the purposes specifically authorized by the General By-laws of The Royal Canadian Legion. Dues paid by the membership cover costs associated with branch, provincial, and Dominion Command operations. Exeter Legion Activities Remembrance Sunday Cenotaph and Church Service Sunday, November 6 Cenotaph Service 10 a.m. (Municipal Building) (Please note all wreath layers to be at the Exeter Legion by 9:15 a.m. to register) Remembrance Church Service at Exeter United Church 10:30 a.m. "Public is welcomed" School Times for Remembrance Programs Friday, November llth • South Huron District High School 9 a.m. • Exeter Public School 9:45 a.m. • Precious Blood School 10:00 a.m. • Our Lady of Mount Carmel 10:45 a.m. • Usborne Central School 11:00 a.m. • Stephen Central School 1:00 p.m. • Exeter Villa 2:30 p.m. Public Welcome e c,n mnce NOVEMBER IIT H Remembrance Banquet Exeter Legion Social Hour 5-6:30 pm • Dinner 6:30 pm Tickets $10.00 (limited seating) Tickets available at the Legion 235-2962 This Page is Brought toYou by the Community -Minded Businesses Listed Below: HENSALL DISTRICT CO-OPERATIVE "Proud to be farmer owned" Design - Build JEFFREY BROTHERS LIMITED •Building Contractors •Residential •Commercial *Agricultural *Alum Soffit & Fascia & Siding *Roofing &Replacement Windows, etc. R.R. 2 Zurich Ont. NOM 2T0 236-4441 s ELECTRIC LTU `st. in 1978 Plumbing Heating & Electrical Contractors 137 Thames Road East Exeter, Ontario NOM 1S3 Tel: (519) 235-1516 Fax (519) 235-0507 RAD BAKER PLUMBING, HEATING & ELECTRICAL • Residential • Commercial • Industrial - Sales, Service and Installation - Central Air Conditioning - Gas Fireplaces 235-1039 Straight Line Collision Don Stuckless 274 Victoria St. Centralia 228-6114 c J.M. McBeath Funeral Home Joyce McBeath at McBeath Funeral Home offers caring funeral home services. 49 Goshen St. N., Zurich Visitation Chapel, 79 King St., Hensall www.jmmcbeathfuneralhome.com Tel: (519) 236-4365 Fax: (519) 236-4359 Agent for Stratford Memorials Mike's Over 21 years of Personalized Service 93 Andrew St. S. Exeter 235-0287 T1RE_FA -////� We'll get you home HAUGH TIRE EXETER 265 Thames Rd. East, Exeter, ON NOM 1 S3 Phone (519)235-3752• Fax (519) 235-3168 24 hr. service 1-888-624-2303 Email: HAUGH@execulink.com The Maple Leaf by Emily Ainslie (Zurich) On a tree, the highest branch I saw a maple leaf The last one of this summer's growth, The sight was only brief. I thought as I was bussed to school What that leaf went through The wind, the rain, the snow and hail And I thought, "How strong and true". It was Remembrance Day that day All was peace and calm. I was reading history, And suddenly it dawned: The maple leaf reminded me, Of an unforgotten past - Of cannons, tanks, and rifles; Where casualties were vast. Where brave and worthy men went out, And fought with all their might. Their families at work, at home Grieving day and night. The food most likely wasn't great. Their tents would smell so bad. Some of them were up all night, From injuries they had. All those soldiers fighting Went for the same belief: For honour, for their country, For honour from their chief. On a tree, the highest branch I saw a maple leaf. I thanked those soldiers quietly, My heart full of relief. On November 11th remember those whose sacrifice made our freedom possible. Carol Mitchell, MPP, Huron -Bruce Constituency Office: 519-482-5630 or 1-800-668-9320 www. carolmitchell. ca General Coach Hensall Ontario Manufacturers of quality recreational vehicles = CHRYSLER Dodge Jeep Exeter Chrysler Jeep Sales, Service Leasing & Daily Rentals 136 Main St. N., Exeter, ON 235-1525 Fax 235-2143 Toll Free 1-866-435-5553 M\\FARM MUTUAL .FINANCIAL SERVICES INC. JOHN J. HANSON - john@ftfs.ca DON THOMPSON - don@ftfs.ca 497 Main St. S. Exeter, Ontario NOM 1 S1 Office: (519) 235-4000 Fax: (519) 235-4333 Toll Free: 1-877-206 FARM (3276) Dave Moore PErROCANA A'Fuels Ltd. 315 Main St. N. Exeter 235-0853 1-800-265-2931 sols of tC SO • Office Supplies & Stationery • Computer Supplies & Cartridges • Office Furniture 92 Main Street Phone 235-1840 Fax 235-3305 E -Mail shos@bellnet.ca Huron Apothecary Ltd. PHARM ASSIST E. Miatello B. Sc. Plzen. Delivery Service "Your Health Care Pharmacy" 440 Main St. Exeter 235-1982 / // / 04&,. FUNERAL HOME 118 Main St. Dashwood Ont. (519) 237-3532 Fax: 237-3191 i Email: hoffmans@hay.net ,, www.hoffmanfuneralhome.com c J.M. McBeath Funeral Home Joyce McBeath at McBeath Funeral Home offers caring funeral home services. 49 Goshen St. N., Zurich Visitation Chapel, 79 King St., Hensall www.jmmcbeathfuneralhome.com Tel: (519) 236-4365 Fax: (519) 236-4359 Agent for Stratford Memorials Mike's Over 21 years of Personalized Service 93 Andrew St. S. Exeter 235-0287 T1RE_FA -////� We'll get you home HAUGH TIRE EXETER 265 Thames Rd. East, Exeter, ON NOM 1 S3 Phone (519)235-3752• Fax (519) 235-3168 24 hr. service 1-888-624-2303 Email: HAUGH@execulink.com The Maple Leaf by Emily Ainslie (Zurich) On a tree, the highest branch I saw a maple leaf The last one of this summer's growth, The sight was only brief. I thought as I was bussed to school What that leaf went through The wind, the rain, the snow and hail And I thought, "How strong and true". It was Remembrance Day that day All was peace and calm. I was reading history, And suddenly it dawned: The maple leaf reminded me, Of an unforgotten past - Of cannons, tanks, and rifles; Where casualties were vast. Where brave and worthy men went out, And fought with all their might. Their families at work, at home Grieving day and night. The food most likely wasn't great. Their tents would smell so bad. Some of them were up all night, From injuries they had. All those soldiers fighting Went for the same belief: For honour, for their country, For honour from their chief. On a tree, the highest branch I saw a maple leaf. I thanked those soldiers quietly, My heart full of relief. On November 11th remember those whose sacrifice made our freedom possible. Carol Mitchell, MPP, Huron -Bruce Constituency Office: 519-482-5630 or 1-800-668-9320 www. carolmitchell. ca General Coach Hensall Ontario Manufacturers of quality recreational vehicles = CHRYSLER Dodge Jeep Exeter Chrysler Jeep Sales, Service Leasing & Daily Rentals 136 Main St. N., Exeter, ON 235-1525 Fax 235-2143 Toll Free 1-866-435-5553 M\\FARM MUTUAL .FINANCIAL SERVICES INC. JOHN J. HANSON - john@ftfs.ca DON THOMPSON - don@ftfs.ca 497 Main St. S. Exeter, Ontario NOM 1 S1 Office: (519) 235-4000 Fax: (519) 235-4333 Toll Free: 1-877-206 FARM (3276) Dave Moore PErROCANA A'Fuels Ltd. 315 Main St. N. Exeter 235-0853 1-800-265-2931 sols of tC SO • Office Supplies & Stationery • Computer Supplies & Cartridges • Office Furniture 92 Main Street Phone 235-1840 Fax 235-3305 E -Mail shos@bellnet.ca Huron Apothecary Ltd. PHARM ASSIST E. Miatello B. Sc. Plzen. Delivery Service "Your Health Care Pharmacy" 440 Main St. Exeter 235-1982